Bangkok: The Director-General of the Department of Agriculture has announced a significant development in the export of Thai durians, as the Chinese Customs Office has reinstated approval for imports from Thailand. This decision comes after a previous suspension due to the detection of the Basic Yellow 2 dye in shipments. To ensure compliance, documents certifying the analysis of Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium levels are now mandatory. If manufacturers are found using the dye in fresh durian, their plant product manufacturing registration will be revoked immediately.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Rapiphat Chanthasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, stated that the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) has reviewed and accepted Thailand's inspection methods and laboratory test reports for Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium in durians. As a result, China is ready to resume imports from Thailand, provided the shipments include the required certification from Thai laboratories.
Currently, Thailand has six certified laboratories capable of testing for Basic Yellow 2 and cadmium in fresh durian destined for China. These include various branches of Central Laboratory (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and the Asia Medical and Agricultural Laboratory and Research Center Public Company Limited (AMARC). Collectively, these laboratories can analyze up to 700 samples per day, with each analysis taking approximately 48 hours. Next week, an additional four laboratories will be added, increasing the testing capacity to over 1,300 samples per day.
China's initial suspension of Thai durian imports was due to the discovery of the unauthorized dye, prompting the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to implement stricter laboratory inspections. These stringent measures have now been successful in regaining the trust of Chinese authorities, who have agreed to accept durians that have passed the necessary inspections.
The Department of Agriculture has outlined a quality control plan for 2025, emphasizing four key measures: no immature fruit, no infestation, no counterfeit products, and no use of prohibited dyes or chemicals. This initiative aims to eliminate the use of color and chemicals in all packing plants, a directive strongly enforced among agricultural inspectors and related personnel. Any detection of Basic Yellow 2 or unregistered chemicals will result in the immediate cancellation of the plant's product factory registration.